The purpose of this paper is to assess the usefulness of a new automatic recording system called "TAAMS" for traffic accidents, which can save the pre- and post-accident scenes, in determining the causes of accidents and near misses. The study was conducted to assess the dynamics of traffic accidents and near misses using TAAMS installed at two unsignalized intersections. Some cases recorded by TAAMS are analyzed focusing on misjudgments of drivers including road condition and the pre-accident behavior of vehicles. In some cases, mail interviews were also made for the drivers involved in accidents as a means of examining the role of human factors. Analysis of accidents and near misses recorded by TAAMS and driver interviews reveal some kinds of misjudgments caused by habitual driver behavior and lack of concentration under certain situations. Misjudgments on drivers involved accidents are classified into three categories, which are caused by traffic congestion, overlooking and gap distance, are demonstrated in this paper. (A)
Abstract